Community Dialogue on Race: Creating a Safe and Just School System in Lexington and Beyond

Monday, January 15, 2018, 9:00-10:30am Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington​The Lexington MLK Committee and the Lexington Human Rights Committee (LHRC) kick off the day's activities with a Community Dialogue on Race: Creating a Safe and Just School System in Lexington . We will bring our hearts and minds to the conversation on racial justice in Lexington and what we can do to have a meaningful impact on the lives of those living, working, and going to school in our town. .or an informational video about the discussion, please click here.​Program

Moderator – Fay Backert

MLK Quotes on Education

Impact Statements

Keynote Speaker

Daniel J. Losen, co-author of Suspended Education in Massachusetts

Small Group Conversation Goals

Advocacy for Safe and Supportive Schools with positive behavioral approaches that reduce suspensions and expulsions

Advocacy for safe, positive, healthy and inclusive whole-school learning environments for all of the LPS schools

Accountability of LPS faculty and staff to address disparity in suspensions of Black students and students with disabilities

Accountability of LPS faculty and staff to record, report and address cases of harassment, bullying and hate crimes for all protected classes

Discuss the process of creating safe and just school environments (use Bowman Elementary School as model)

Discuss how inconsistent application of student’s civil rights and the fear (and ignorance) of “Other” (especially Black students and students with disabilities) can lead to a disparity in the application of school discipline

Discuss strategies for parents and students to become better equipped to be effective active bystanders (to protect peers’ civil rights)